Planeview Park

There are many different ways that a park can come into existence. Some, like Prospect Park, are carefully planned, immaculate visions of natural oases in urban settings. Others, like the whimsically named Planeview Park, are conceived out of happenstance or providence. Federal Aviation Administration regulations stipulate that airports are required to have a large, clear piece of land leading up to airport runways. In 1958 the Port Authority surrendered nine parcels of land, stretching from 78th Street and 25th Avenue to the Grand Central Parkway, across from La Guardia Airport, to Parks with the understanding that the land could only be used for park purposes.